Then on Thursday afternoon, a work collegue of KISA's asked if we would like to join him and his wife on a trip outback to Hughenden over the break. We sure would! So I threw the contents of the fridge into the car fridge and packed up the bedlinen and clothes etc, and we were ready for an 8am start the next morning! Lucky we had cleaned out the camper the weekend before.
It was a good 6 hour drive away, and we left the manic Bruce Highway after 2 hours and soon it was nice and quiet. So that is the secret for Easter..go west! We happily followed G&L in their van.
They don't have long range fuel tanks yet, so we stopped just near Charters Towers to give their car a drink. There were a couple of empty road trains parked up, if you look closely, that is KISA standing between the first and second trailer. When one of these comes towards you on the country roads, you move off the road. They go fast and they don't slow down! The truck and the first trailer is the size of a big english lorry, so these are three times as big.
The further west we got, the straighter the road got. This road just goes on and on. I stood in the middle of the highway to take this photo, no traffic in either direction.
We stopped at this lookout at White Mountains National Park. It was the crossing of the Great Dividing Range. After this it is really flat. This is looking south, and 110 million years ago, this was a shallow inland sea. Lots of fossils are still found, all marine life and also dinosaur fossils as well.
We made another stop at the little town of Prairie, population 48. It had a park, a huge 35 foot windmill and an old jail, which is now the loo. L and I availed ourselves of it of course.
At Prairie, is the turn off to Muttaburra. All the other places are properties. Most of the 220 klm road is dirt. It is a big country out here.
The camper and The Beast at Prairie. We are only 50 km or so from Hughenden now.
The old jail, now loo.
After arrival, we got the camper set up, and had a few drinks and dinner with G&L. A reasonably early night after a big day. Next morning we had real coffee! Very civilised as we had a powered site at the caravan park. First time we have set up in a van park. Lovely hot showers too.
We spent the day pootling around Hughenden, and taking in the museum. This grand old hotel has seen better days as it was covered up with fencing wire, I think it may be condemned. It would be a shame to see it torn down, I hope there are funds to restore it. Maybe it got damaged in the recent storms.
The dinosuar bones are a big tourist drawcard here, so here is the model of the Muttaburrasaurus. Big boy, but a vegetarian, thankfully. We spent an hour or so in the museum, it was very good, well worth a visit to give you an overview of the area before you go out looking about.
This rotunda is made of two big 35 foot windmill blade sets. Looks kind of funky. We had coffee over the road in the FJ Holden Cafe.
We went for a walk by the river, these red boulders had brass plates with the inscriptions from an old cemetery on them. It was very interesting walking past them and reading them all.
After lunch, we went on a 4wd drive on the Basalt Byway. This winds through the landscapes north of Hughenden, which consist of Basalt walls and deep valleys. In this flat part of the trip, I was taken with the big sky. There will be some great sunsets out here I suspect.
The high bits around here are large flat top hills, that look like a mountain someone cut off near the base. Once you get up the side there are wonderful views. This is looking back towards Hughenden.
No bitumen, lots of dirt road. It was easy driving though and now it is dry a regular car could do it. It would be a bit different if it was muddy though.
These two emus tried to commit suicide in front of our car. It was KISA's first sighting of emu in the wild so a big moment!
We crossed the Flinders River. This is a mighty river and is flowing steadily after all the rain. I wonder if it dries up completely.
Back at the camp that evening, the wonderful sunset I expected eventuates. G cooked up a lovely roast lamb in the Cobb Cooker. This is a great invention.
We gathered at G&L's van, joined by another family from AP. I know it is blurry, but I had had a couple of wines. Oops. Lamb was starting to smell good by now.
Easter Sunday was the highlight of the trip for me, we went to Porcupine Gorge. This is in Porcupine Gorge National Park, and is a spectacular gorge often referred to as Australia's Little Grand Canyon. I am not sure it is in that league, but it is very spectacular, and reveals layers of sedimentary rocks which span hundreds of million years of geological history.
We spent the day pootling around Hughenden, and taking in the museum. This grand old hotel has seen better days as it was covered up with fencing wire, I think it may be condemned. It would be a shame to see it torn down, I hope there are funds to restore it. Maybe it got damaged in the recent storms.
The dinosuar bones are a big tourist drawcard here, so here is the model of the Muttaburrasaurus. Big boy, but a vegetarian, thankfully. We spent an hour or so in the museum, it was very good, well worth a visit to give you an overview of the area before you go out looking about.
This rotunda is made of two big 35 foot windmill blade sets. Looks kind of funky. We had coffee over the road in the FJ Holden Cafe.
We went for a walk by the river, these red boulders had brass plates with the inscriptions from an old cemetery on them. It was very interesting walking past them and reading them all.
After lunch, we went on a 4wd drive on the Basalt Byway. This winds through the landscapes north of Hughenden, which consist of Basalt walls and deep valleys. In this flat part of the trip, I was taken with the big sky. There will be some great sunsets out here I suspect.
The high bits around here are large flat top hills, that look like a mountain someone cut off near the base. Once you get up the side there are wonderful views. This is looking back towards Hughenden.
No bitumen, lots of dirt road. It was easy driving though and now it is dry a regular car could do it. It would be a bit different if it was muddy though.
These two emus tried to commit suicide in front of our car. It was KISA's first sighting of emu in the wild so a big moment!
We crossed the Flinders River. This is a mighty river and is flowing steadily after all the rain. I wonder if it dries up completely.
Back at the camp that evening, the wonderful sunset I expected eventuates. G cooked up a lovely roast lamb in the Cobb Cooker. This is a great invention.
We gathered at G&L's van, joined by another family from AP. I know it is blurry, but I had had a couple of wines. Oops. Lamb was starting to smell good by now.
Easter Sunday was the highlight of the trip for me, we went to Porcupine Gorge. This is in Porcupine Gorge National Park, and is a spectacular gorge often referred to as Australia's Little Grand Canyon. I am not sure it is in that league, but it is very spectacular, and reveals layers of sedimentary rocks which span hundreds of million years of geological history. We stopped first at the lookout to get an overview. It is much higher than it looks.
KISA went close to the edge to get this shot, I couldn't watch.
Looking toward pyramid rock, it is easy to see why it is called that. This is the bit we walked down to.
Down the bottom and at the swimming hole. It was crystal clear with a sandy bottom. And lovely and cool, just right not cold. We swam for ages.
The walls near the river are all sandstone and carved in swirling circular ways by the forces of the flowing water.
This is the rocks on the sides of the water. Very unusual.
These little craters were curious. Quite deep too.
After a picnic lunch we walked towards the pyramid rock and swam some more. Then it was a big climb out of the gorge, quite taxing for unfit me.
You had to watch out for basking crocodiles though...
Just a couple of shots of the camp set up, next morning. It was Anzac Day and the ceremony took place right beside the caravan park. So I got up and caught the last of the Dawn Service.
Was lovely and cool, not cold, not humid, just perfect. Today we drove another 4WD circuit called the Eromanga Sea Byway. First we went up to the Mt Walker Lookout, another tabletop hill about 8klm or so south of town. This is looking south towards Longreach. Very Flat.
And this is looking back towards Hughenden. Also very flat. Amazing country, I love being out here, so much space and you feel kind of humbled by the age of the landscape. Very hard to explain.
The landscape changed quite a bit during this drive, we passed through blacksoil and red soil areas, lots of grasslands, and some plain desert landscapes as well. All in a 200klm circuit.
More emus checking us out.
Another iconic windmill. These pump the water from the bores into the water troughs for the cattle to drink from. Very essential piece of equipment out here.
We stopped for lunch at Kooroorinya Falls. This is them, but they are not falling at the moment. Must have just missed them as the water in the lagoon above them is still quite high. Unlucky considering how much rain we have had. Very unusual rocky landscape around here.
There was a camp ground beside the falls, quite well equipped. This is the hot water system for the amenities block. You just have to light a big fire under that water trough.
These are the showers in the ladies amenities block. 
It even has a full size bath tub to soak in! Luxury!
After lunch we did a bit more 4WD exploring beside the billabong upstream of the falls that weren't.
A very peaceful spot we have earmarked for a day camp. Signs suggest camping is not allowed, but campfire remains suggest maybe it happens.
We found this in a fire place. Our friend June has an admirer in Hughenden! That would not surprise me she is a beautiful young woman!
On the way back to Hughenden we stopped into the Prairie Pub for some refreshment. The local copper was using the pub as a cool spot to sit while he pointed the speed gun at the oncoming traffic. We prudently chose to enjoy a softdrink each, and he chatted with us in between catching speeders. He was a nice chap and loves living in Prairie with his young family. He said it was better than locking up drunks in Townsville, his previous posting. He suggested we ask the publican to introduce us to Buffy.
Buffy loves little treats, like bread.
And getting scratched under her neck.
She is absolutely huge up close, much bigger than a regular cow.
On Easter Tuesday we headed home, we have had such a wonderful time. New scenery, first camp for many months and great company. Hope it is the first of many trips
KISA went close to the edge to get this shot, I couldn't watch.
Looking toward pyramid rock, it is easy to see why it is called that. This is the bit we walked down to.
Down the bottom and at the swimming hole. It was crystal clear with a sandy bottom. And lovely and cool, just right not cold. We swam for ages.
The walls near the river are all sandstone and carved in swirling circular ways by the forces of the flowing water.
This is the rocks on the sides of the water. Very unusual.
These little craters were curious. Quite deep too.
After a picnic lunch we walked towards the pyramid rock and swam some more. Then it was a big climb out of the gorge, quite taxing for unfit me.
You had to watch out for basking crocodiles though...
Just a couple of shots of the camp set up, next morning. It was Anzac Day and the ceremony took place right beside the caravan park. So I got up and caught the last of the Dawn Service.
Was lovely and cool, not cold, not humid, just perfect. Today we drove another 4WD circuit called the Eromanga Sea Byway. First we went up to the Mt Walker Lookout, another tabletop hill about 8klm or so south of town. This is looking south towards Longreach. Very Flat.
And this is looking back towards Hughenden. Also very flat. Amazing country, I love being out here, so much space and you feel kind of humbled by the age of the landscape. Very hard to explain.
The landscape changed quite a bit during this drive, we passed through blacksoil and red soil areas, lots of grasslands, and some plain desert landscapes as well. All in a 200klm circuit.
More emus checking us out.
Another iconic windmill. These pump the water from the bores into the water troughs for the cattle to drink from. Very essential piece of equipment out here.
We stopped for lunch at Kooroorinya Falls. This is them, but they are not falling at the moment. Must have just missed them as the water in the lagoon above them is still quite high. Unlucky considering how much rain we have had. Very unusual rocky landscape around here.
There was a camp ground beside the falls, quite well equipped. This is the hot water system for the amenities block. You just have to light a big fire under that water trough.
These are the showers in the ladies amenities block. 
It even has a full size bath tub to soak in! Luxury!
After lunch we did a bit more 4WD exploring beside the billabong upstream of the falls that weren't.
A very peaceful spot we have earmarked for a day camp. Signs suggest camping is not allowed, but campfire remains suggest maybe it happens.
We found this in a fire place. Our friend June has an admirer in Hughenden! That would not surprise me she is a beautiful young woman!
On the way back to Hughenden we stopped into the Prairie Pub for some refreshment. The local copper was using the pub as a cool spot to sit while he pointed the speed gun at the oncoming traffic. We prudently chose to enjoy a softdrink each, and he chatted with us in between catching speeders. He was a nice chap and loves living in Prairie with his young family. He said it was better than locking up drunks in Townsville, his previous posting. He suggested we ask the publican to introduce us to Buffy.So we did, and his little daughters led us out back and started calling "Buffy!"
And Buffy started running/rolling over. Buffy is a well proportioned young lady, no bony bits on this girl.
She is a Northern Territory Buffalo, of the kind seen in Crocodile Dundee.
Buffy loves little treats, like bread.
And getting scratched under her neck.
She is absolutely huge up close, much bigger than a regular cow.
On Easter Tuesday we headed home, we have had such a wonderful time. New scenery, first camp for many months and great company. Hope it is the first of many trips in our new environment. Gand L showed us another good spot to camp near Charters Towers which we will check out soon.
The country is so green and lush after all the rain. There were miles of this grass flowering pink on the way home.
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